The Hyundai RM19 Concept Shows What a Mid-Engined Veloster Looks Like

Last November 20, Hyundai Motor Company unveiled the RM19 (short for Racing Midship 19) concept sports car to little fanfare, but the announcement that the car is gearing up for production is generating a lot of post-launch buzz.

The RM19 concept packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that can do 390-horsepower, hit 100 kilometer per hour (kph) from a standstill in less than four seconds, and reach a top speed in excess of 250 kph. These numbers give the concept enough power to mix it up with established speedsters such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Honda Civic Type R.

[gallery columns="4" ids="70674,70673,70672,70671">

Essentially a reworked version of the Veloster TCR touring car that competes in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) circuit and United States Auto Club's TC America series, the car is a mid-engine mount, and designed for road-legal driving.

The mid-engined RM19 is the latest in a line of RM concepts that the South Korean brand has been consistently debuting since 2012. The RM series focuses on testing designs and engineering innovations “for future N brand products, including a potential brand-halo car,” according to Hyundai’s press release.

“The RM platform is a versatile engineering testbed, allowing effective evaluation of various powertrains and performance levels, all on normal roads and environments,” said Albert Biermann, head of global research and development for Hyundai Motor Company.

“Throughout the evolution of the RM series, our engineers have gained tremendous hands-on knowledge of high performance vehicle dynamics with various front-to-rear weight distributions coupled with the effects of a fully-weighted, high-strength body structure on vehicle performance.”

The car uses the same engine as the Veloster TCR and i30 from the Hyundai N Performance Division, a new high-performance wing of the Hyundai lineup. However, unlike the race cars which undergo balance of performance (BOP) adjustments, RM19 doesn’t carry any such restrictions, and thus enjoys an extra boost of output. “RM19 offers racecar-like levels of performance, balance, braking and grip while retaining daily road-going capability,” Hyundai says about the car’s performance.

[gallery columns="2" ids="70668,70667">

Power is delivered via paddle shifters that control a six-speed sequential transmission similar to the one used in TCR-series racers, albeit with street-friendly ratios.

“The RM19 sports car signals future brand aspirations for Hyundai’s high-performance N brand, solidly moving N into the prestigious arena of supercar-level performance,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Product Division.

“Hyundai N will not only increase heartbeats per minute via powerful internal combustion engines, but also through the instantaneous torque and environmental sustainability of electrified powertrains moving forward.”

[gallery columns="2" ids="70670,70669">

Unfortunately for those excited to hear about the car heading into production, sources suggest it will be take at least a few years for that to happen. However, Hyundai is quick to assure that the production car will look very similar to the concept.

Also read: Confirmed: Hyundai Will Build Its Own Pickup, the Santa Cruz
Hyundai Announces World’s First Continuously Variable Valve Duration Engine

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Honda, Nissan start business integration plan talks
    Honda, Nissan start business integration plan talks
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • GAC Motor PH has sold over 3k cars from Jan-Nov 2024
    GAC Motor PH has sold over 3k cars from Jan-Nov 2024
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Toyota PH, Ernie Gawilan conducts nationwide mangrove planting project
    Toyota PH, Ernie Gawilan conducts nationwide mangrove planting project
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Pangilinan-led expressways to waive toll fees for holidays
    Pangilinan-led expressways to waive toll fees for holidays
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • CAMPI-TMA hits 425k-unit mark for Jan.-Nov. 2024
    CAMPI-TMA hits 425k-unit mark for Jan.-Nov. 2024
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Zigwheels PH: top 5 X-mas gifts for car owners
    Zigwheels PH: top 5 X-mas gifts for car owners
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Here are the VinFast VF 3's 9 energetic shades
    Here are the VinFast VF 3's 9 energetic shades
    Cesar Miguel . Dec 19, 2024
  • Hyundai Stargazer X vs. the competition
    Hyundai Stargazer X vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Dec 18, 2024
  • Cushy crossover clash: MG One vs. Ford Territory
    Cushy crossover clash: MG One vs. Ford Territory
    Cesar Miguel . Dec 18, 2024
  • Changan CS15 vs. the competition
    Changan CS15 vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Dec 16, 2024
  • Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Mar 08, 2024
  • Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Paulo Papa . Jan 03, 2024
  • PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    Paulo Papa . Dec 15, 2023
  • Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Hazel Nicole Carreon . Dec 15, 2023
  • Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Paulo Papa . Nov 14, 2023
  • Land Rover Defender 110 S D250: King of versatility
    Land Rover Defender 110 S D250: King of versatility
    Cesar Miguel . Dec 12, 2024
  • 2024 Ford Explorer Limited: reliable 6th man
    2024 Ford Explorer Limited: reliable 6th man
    Ruben Manahan IV . Dec 02, 2024
  • Honda Civic RS e:HEV: refined, athletic
    Honda Civic RS e:HEV: refined, athletic
    Cesar Miguel . Nov 28, 2024
  • Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4X4: rugged, refined
    Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4X4: rugged, refined
    Paulo Papa . Nov 19, 2024
  • MG One Lux: smooth operator
    MG One Lux: smooth operator
    Cesar Miguel . Nov 15, 2024